2025 And Beyond: The Road Ahead

November 6, 2024

The SMART-TD railroad and transit union commends Donald Trump and Vice President Elect, JD Vance, on their victory in the 2024 presidential campaign. While not the candidate we advocated for, we will seek new opportunities to advance our agenda with his administration. Our union’s commitment to advocating for the needs of working people has not and will not be swayed by electoral outcomes. 

The Road Ahead for SMART-TD

We acknowledge the uncertainties that lie ahead as we approach national railroad negotiations and as new regulatory leadership takes shape in Washington. We remain relentless in our fight to defend against carrier attempts to weaken our agreements and to gain every penny and every work rule our members rightfully deserve. Our common goal remains clear: to secure the best possible outcomes for our members, regardless of who holds the office in the White House or which party controls Congress.

SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson, our national and our state safety and legislative departments remain laser-focused on building coalitions to win commonsense, member-serving legislation at every level. We will continue to fight for full freight crews, transit operator safety, and checks on the proven dangers of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR).  

With a Republican-controlled Senate and a President who will once again appoint leaders to key agencies like the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), we expect to face challenges. We will strive to find areas where common ground can be reached, and we will endeavor to preserve regulatory progress. We will engage with all stakeholders, working across the aisle to ensure that our members’ voices are heard.

A Practical Approach to Union Advocacy

With a Republican-majority U.S. Senate and a new crop of elected officials on both sides of the political spectrum, we find ourselves uniquely positioned to advocate for the issues that matter most to our members—whether in Washington, D.C. or on the ground in communities across America. As we move into the second term of a Trump presidency, we believe that our pragmatic, fact-based approach will serve our members well. We will engage and share the truth of the realities behind the wheel and on the ballast.

The SMART-TD endorsement process is driven by outcomes, not by party. This method, unlike the party-driven endorsements of other unions, allows us to build a coalition of allies, including both Republicans and Democrats. We will work with anyone committed to improving the quality of life for working people. We will continue this work and seek the support of both Republican and Democratic leaders to advocate for policies that directly benefit our members.

As we approach critical moments in the legislative and regulatory landscape—such as the ongoing fight for railroad safety legislation like the Vance-Brown Railroad Safety Act of 2023—SMART-TD continues to lead the fight for safety and fairness in our industry. Our advocacy for protections such as 2-person crews, safety protocols, and protections against assault for our bus and transit members continues without interruption.

Gratitude and Collaboration

As we reflect on the election results, SMART-TD extends congratulations to all those who won their races on both sides of the political spectrum, including our allies, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). These individuals, along with many other supporters in both the railroad and public transportation sectors, will be crucial to our continued progress in addressing the issues facing workers in our industry.

SMART-TD remains committed to pushing forward in the fight for stronger safety standards, better work rules, and a better quality of life for every one of our members—no matter who occupies the White House or the halls of Congress. With our steadfast determination and focus, we are confident that we will continue to be a powerful force for positive change in the coming years.

In Solidarity,

SMART Transportation Division
North America’s Bus, Railroad and Transit Union